College Planning News

Demonstrated Interest

July 2017
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On its surface, demonstrated interest seems like a completely egalitarian aspect of the college admissions process, and one that benefits both parties—the institution and the applicant. The institution grants a degree of admission favor to an applicant who is likely to enroll, if admitted, thus increasing the school’s yield rate (percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll).
On the other end, the student who has shown passion and enthusiasm for a particular school, is rewarded with improved acceptance odds. Win-win, right? Unfortunately, according to a new research study, as reported by Inside Higher Ed, the component of demonstrated interest that actually carries the most favor isn’t meeting a rep at a college fair, or connecting through email or social media—it’s the cost prohibitive one—a physical visit to campus. 
The study, which looked at highly selective schools, found that applicants who visit campus and stay long enough to participate in as many activities as possible receive a substantial edge over a similar candidate who does not, or cannot make the trip.

Change in Advanced Placement Policy

2/7/19
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Every student planning on taking an AP course in the 2019-20 academic year needs to read this piece in the Washington Post that outlines a controversial new rule that will take effect this fall. The College Board, the company that runs the AP program, has decided to switch the sign-up deadline from March to November 15th, a massive jump that many counselors fear will negatively impact high school students. Students planning on taking a test in May will, starting next year, have to sign up a couple weeks prior to Thanksgiving or incur late fees. The regular cost of the test will remain at $94 but the late fee (November 16th counts as “late”) is a hefty $40. Students will now have to sign up before they even know if their future college will even grant AP credit. On the positive side, one AP teacher noted that early registration can create a more cohesive classroom atmosphere since everyone is working toward the same goal. Whatever your personal feelings on the shift, it’s good to simply be aware that AP checks need to be cut several months earlier next year.

College Knowledge

Dual-engineering/liberal arts degrees allow students to emerge with a B.A in a liberal arts field as well as with a B.S. in engineering. Most of the schools on our list of dual-degree engineering programs are highly-selective universities. The engineering departments of each of the schools on the list partner with a number of other institutions, allowing undergraduates who complete liberal arts coursework at affiliated colleges to then enroll in these prestigious engineering programs. The following engineering schools offer dual-degree programs:
California Institute of Technology
Case Western Reserve University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Penn State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Washington University in St. Louis
For a complete list of affiliated colleges, be sure to visit our Dataverse.

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